Barnett Tests Positive For Steroids
by Robert Sargent
Earlier today, it was confirmed that former UFC Heavyweight Champion "The Babyfaced Assassin" Josh Barnett had failed a pre-fight drug test before his scheduled bout with WAMMA Heavyweight Champion "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko.
The fight with Emelianenko is now off and Affliction is currently scrambling to find an opponent for the Russian, in an effort to salvage their August 1st "Trilogy" event.
According to the California State Athletic Commission, which observed the testing, Barnett tested positive for 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one, a metabolite found in the anabolic steroid Drostanolone. The test was conducted on June 25th in accordance with the CSAC's policy of testing fighters before granting them a fight licence to compete.
The shocking and untimely test results have left Affliction without an opponent for #1-ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, which could spell doom for the August 1st event. "Trilogy" had been mostly built around the Emelianenko vs Barnett fight, and Affliction is currently attempting to determine whether a suitable replacement for Barnett can be found.
For his part, Barnett is denying taking any banned substances, but this is unfortunately not the first time that he has found himself in trouble after testing positive for steroids. In fact, this is actually his third positive test, and he has spent much of his career in Japan where there is no drug testing.
In 2002, Barnett was suspended for six months after testing positive for three anabolic agents (Boldenone, Fluoxymesterone and Nandrolone metabolites) following his UFC Heavyweight Championship win over Randy "The Natural" Couture at UFC 36. Barnett vehemently denied taking any banned substances at the time and questioned the Nevada State Athletic Commission's testing protocols. His camp later blamed over-the-counter drugs for the failed test.
Following this development, Barnett was stripped of his UFC title and competed exclusively in Japan for the next six years until his North American return at Affliction: "Banned" on July 19th, 2008. He fought again at Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" on January 24th of this year. Barnett did not fail drug tests in either case.
While much controversy surrounded the positive steroid test in 2002, the revelation that this latest result actually marks the third time that Barnett has failed a drug test makes it difficult to believe that this is all a mistake.
Barnett has stated that he is embarrassed by the results of this test, but that unfortunately cannot undo the past. Affliction is now put in a very tough position in having to scramble to keep their event, and possibly the MMA promotional division of their company, alive. Names being tossed around as potential opponents for Emelianenko include Vitor Belfort, Brett Rogers and Bobby Lashley, among others, but nothing has been decided as of yet.
This is a very unfortunate development and more updates will follow as new information comes out later this week.
